The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-11-30
A QUAKER WEDDING.
The Simple Ceremony Used by the Fret d
In Sealing Their vows
Oetroit Free Press

Detroit Free Press.
1t was a small square building, painted
white, and like all Friends meeting
houses" there was upon it no spire or Gu
pola, for they deem it sacrilegious tn dis
turb the calm of their peaceful First
Day" with clangor of brazen bell. One
autumn First Day." from far and near
came the great old-fashioned carriages,
bringing staid old gentlemen wearing
their drab costumes of which the broad
brimmed hats and queer coats were dis
tinctiVe features; old ladies with placid
faces peeping out from beneath the quaint
drab bonnets, wearing plainly made
dresses of the same sombre hue, with
nothing save white handkerchiefs of ex
quisite fneness crossed beneath their
chiRs 10 relieve the severe plainness of
their raiment, and young people mostly at
tired after the manner of the worlds peo-
pie" all eager to see the rather unusual
sight OF a wedding in the Westinghouse.
entered at the women's door. The in
terror of the plain building wore an air of
plain simplicity in these days, when cush-
Toned peWs and elegant carpets are seen in
nearly all churches. The pine floor was
white and clean. A dozen straightforward
seats were on either side of the narrow
aisle, and fronting these were four others
on a raised platform. A common box
stove stood in the corner, and also a small
walnut table, on which was lying a roll OF
paper which proved to be the marriage GER
tiicste. The sliding partition, which was
open on this occasion, showed US that the
mems side of the house was similarly fur
nished, with the exception OF the b
The male portion of the audience sat
with their hats on, and both men
and women had their heads bent
slightly forward, with eyes half closed,
as II engaged In silent devotion.
No fresh arrival caused one face to tuer
toward the door to see who the new comm
was. Even little children, whose mis-
chieVous pranks sorely tried my patience
in the school room, now sat demure and
silent, and there was no air of expectancy
on any countenance.
At last the wedding party entered, but
not to sound of wedding march, for no
music, either vocal or instrumental, is ever
heard in Quaker Westinghouse. Tney
passed on to the platform and seated them.
selves fscing the little assemblsge gathered
there 70 witness the ceremony. Ten min
utes more OF silence when they arose, and
the couple to be married Joined their
right hands. and the gentleman said in
rather low but distinct tones:
"In the presence OF the Lord take thee,
Ruth Stiles, to be my welded wife, promis-
ing with divine assistance to be unto thee
loving and faithful husband until death
shall separate u.s."
In tremulous tones the bride then re-
peatsd the same words, merely SUBSTITUTE
ing David Hill" and husband" for
wife"
They sat down again, and after another
short period of silence one old gentleman
arose and shook hands with another, and
the meeting had closed.
Many friends signed the certificate as
witnesses of the important ceremony
- ~ Ch had fron "A Id
school teacher into the wife of a well.to-dO
farmer.
The bride wore dress of very fine drab
cashmere, made in Quaker fashion, short
waist and plain full skirt. A handsome
collar Of delicate lace was fastened beneath
her throat with white geranium blossom
and leaves. Her kid gloves matched her
dress in color, but instead of a Quaker bon
net she wore very stylish hat with satin
loops and ostrich TIPS corresponding IN
hue with dress and gloves
The groom was attired in . dress suit OF
black, such as men usually wear on such
occasions, with no trace OF Quaker fashion
about il. The bridesmaid and the grooms-
man were clothed in nearly the same man.
ner So the contracting parties.
Hearty congratulations were shouered
upon the young people, and everywhere
could hear kindly greetings exchanged
among the people, such as Daniel, how
does thee do? 1 am so glad to see thee
here to-day" and "Well, Emily, thee did
get out, IL seems nice to see thee with US
after thy long sickness" One sweet, low
Ing old lady addressed me thus: And
what Is thy first name2 We wish to know
thee well, now that thee has come among
Us TO teach orr little ones; thee knows we
Are not q formal people, being friendly TO
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